Sweetheart, it's been ages!
My mom exclaimed, wrapping me in a warm hug as I walked through the front door.
I'd been away for nearly a month, buried under a mountain of assignments and projects. Deadlines were looming, and to make matters worse, I'd started my internship, leaving me with barely enough time to breathe.
But finally, after a month of non-stop hustle, I had a day to spare, and I couldn't wait to spend it with my mom.
My dad had left us a long time ago, and our relationship was, well, let's just say it wasn't the best. But my mom, She'd moved in with her sister, who lived in the same neighborhood, and they'd become inseparable. I was stoked to see her so happy and carefree. As I hugged my mom's sister, I felt a wave of relief wash over me. My mom was in good hands.
We headed inside, and the aroma of freshly baked cake wafted through the air, making my stomach growl with anticipation. My mom's baking is legendary, and I'm not just saying that because I'm her kid.
I mean, have you ever tasted heaven in a slice? That's what her cakes are like. I'm a total sucker for sweet treats – cakes, muffins, pastries, you name it. My cravings know no bounds.
As we sat down to dinner, my mom had prepared my favorite – pasta and meatballs. I was starving, and the first bite was like a taste explosion in my mouth.
I missed her cooking so much! We chatted about my university life, and she asked all the right questions.
Was I focusing on my studies?
Were my hangouts getting out of hand?
I reassured her that I had everything under control.
After dinner, we lounged in the living room, watching her favorite series. We were both total TV buffs, and our playful comments had us giggling like crazy. But as the night wore on, exhaustion caught up with me, and I bid them goodnight, promising to catch up more the next day. I had an event to guide the next day, and I needed my beauty sleep.
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Ivan's POV
"Mr. Ivan, I wanted to inform you that the university visit is scheduled for Tomorrow. They have requested your presence to speak to the business students about your entrepreneurial journey." My secretary Jake exclaimed.
"Ah, yes. I remember. What time and where do I need to be?" Ivan said with a stern voice working on his laptop and going through the documents.
"The lecture is scheduled for 2 PM at the university's business school. I've arranged for a car to pick you up at 1 PM."
"Great. What's the expected turnout?"
"The university is expecting around 200 students and faculty members. They're all looking forward to hearing your insights."
"Alright, Jake. You can go now."
"Ok sir."
After wrapping up some meetings, I instructed Jake, my secretary, to reschedule the remaining appointments for the day. My mind was preoccupied with concern for my grandmother's health as I drove to the hospital.
She had always been vibrant and healthy, so it was alarming when she suddenly collapsed two days ago. My father had rushed her to the hospital, where she was admitted and diagnosed with heart disease - a condition we were previously unaware of.
As I stepped into the hospital room, my grandmother's face lit up with a warm smile, and I felt a flicker of emotion beneath my reserved exterior. Her eyes, still weak from the ordeal, sparkled with a deep affection that only she could evoke in me.
I approached her bedside, my movements economical and silent.
"My dear boy!" she exclaimed, her eyes lighting up with joy.
"How are you feeling now?" I asked, taking a seat beside her bed.
"Much better now that I see you, my dear boy," she whispered, her voice barely audible, but full of conviction.
I nodded, my expression softening ever so slightly, as I took in the fragile, yet determined, woman before me.
"You need to take care of yourself now, Grandma," I said, my deep voice low and soothing, a gentle breeze on a summer's day.
She nodded, her eyes never leaving mine, as she placed a frail hand on my cheek. I felt a surge of protectiveness, and covered her hand with mine, my touch warm and reassuring.
My father, sitting on the other side of the bed, smiled, his eyes red-rimmed from fatigue and worry. "We're here for you, Mother," he said, his voice gruff with emotion.
I nodded in agreement, my gaze still locked on my grandmother's face.
The evening passed in a blur of quiet conversation, gentle laughter. As the night drew to a close, I bid her a soft goodnight, my lips brushing against her forehead in a tender kiss. My father insisted on staying with her, and I came to know, my presence no longer required.
As I drove home, the city lights blurring together like a watercolor painting, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. My grandmother was on the mend, and I could finally exhale. The events of the day, the meetings, the deals, the constant wheeling and dealing, all faded into the background as I thought of her, fragile and strong, a true matriarch.
I walked into my penthouse apartment, the silence enveloping me like a shroud. I shed my jacket, my movements quiet as I made my way to the shower, the warm water washing away the tension in my muscles. As I changed into comfortable clothes, my mind wandered back to my grandmother, and I smiled, a small, private smile, one that few ever saw.
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Next Morning
As my father brought my grandmother back home, I felt a wave of relief wash over me. She hugged me tightly, and I escorted her to her room, where she sat on the bed. I covered her with a blanket, saying,
"Take the best care of yourself, Grandma. We can't lose you." She smiled, and I gave her hand a reassuring squeeze before standing up to leave.
"Dad, you should get some rest. You haven't slept in two days. I'll take care of work,"
I said, looking at my father sitting on the couch. He nodded, and I continued,
"I'm going to work now. Rest well, Grandma." She lay down on the bed, and I left her room.
As I drove to the company in my SUV, my mind was on the day's schedule. My secretary was already at the office, briefing me on the university visit and meetings. We went through the deal and meeting, and by 1 pm, I was ready to head to the university.
As we arrived, my secretary opened the door for me, and I stepped out of the car. That's when I saw her - a girl in her twenties with a bright smile, introducing herself.
The second she said her name, "Rose," my mind repeated it softly, as if surprised by my own reaction.
As she guided me through the event, I returned to my stoic demeanor, but my inner turmoil threatened to surface. I was torn between my icy exterior and the storm brewing inside me.I put on my stern, icy façade.
I knew I had to keep it together, or I'd regret it later. As we entered the grand hall, Rose introduced me to the faculty members, and I greeted the university chairman and others with confidence. I took the stage, scanning the crowd as I delivered my speech. The students were captivated, taking notes and hanging on my every word.
My eyes roamed the room, but kept drifting back to Rose. She was the only one not paying attention, too engrossed in her iPad to notice me. Maybe she was drawing something? I wondered, feeling a bit of curiosity.
Why did I care? I asked myself. It was just a silly attraction, and I'd get over it.
But as my speech ended and I wrapped up the event, I couldn't shake off the feeling. I looked around, but Rose had vanished. I was craving just one more glance, but she was gone.
I questioned my own motives - why was I so drawn to her?
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Later that evening....
As I headed back to the office with my secretary, my mind kept wandering to Rose. Later, my friend Michael called, inviting me to a reunion with our graduated friends and classmates. I reluctantly agreed, only because I didn't want to let him down after all this time.
At the reunion, Michael exclaimed,
"Ivan, you actually showed up! It's been ages since you've returned anyone's calls. We're surprised you made time for us!"
I smiled wryly, knowing he was right. Reunions weren't my thing, but I was here now, and my mind was still preoccupied with Rose.
"I've got a lot on my plate, but I figured I could spare some time for you guys," I said, finishing my food. Michael smiled,
"Glad you could make it, Ivan. We know you're a workaholic, but it's been too long since you've returned our calls."
Mia, who had been flirting with me since our university days, chimed in,
"Yeah, Ivan, you've been ignoring us for too long. But we're glad you're here now."
I knew she was just a gold digger, having dated several wealthy guys in the past. I wasn't interested in her, and being here with her was unbearable. After dinner, I stepped outside into the rain, bidding goodbye to my classmates.
Rain reminded me of my mom, and I got lost in thought. I hated rain, as much as I hated anything. People often found it hard to understand why I despised rain, but my memories associated with it were far from pleasant. The rain reminded me of my mom, and the pain of losing her still lingered. I found it hard to like something that brought back such painful memories.
When I looked aside, my gaze fell upon a bus stand nearby, and that's when I saw her - the girl wearing a beige jacket and black pants, her slight wet hair cascading down her shoulder like a waterfall of silk. She held an umbrella, extending her hand to feel the rain, and her smile lit up the gray sky.
My heart skipped a beat as my mind whispered a single word: "ROSE"
In that moment I felt like, time stood still, and the world around me melted away. The raindrops slowed their pace, and the bustling streets faded into the background. All that mattered was her smile, her eyes, her beauty. Her eyelashes flickered up, and her eyes met mine, sparkling like brown honey in the dim light. I was lost in their depths, drowning in their warmth.
The only sound I heard was my mind repeating words I couldn't seem to hear myself, masked by her little chuckle and the continuous bustle of the streets fading into the distance.
My mind was filled with questions, but one lingered, refusing to be silenced. I couldn't seem to find the answer, no matter how hard I searched. The uncertainty lingered, a gentle hum in the background of my thoughts, as I stood there.
AM I FALLING?
And yet, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was teetering on the edge of something unknown, something that could change everything. I whispered, my voice barely audible, and was surprised by its softness. "Rose"
That's it for now guys.
Will fate bring Ivan and Rose together again, or was their meeting just a coincidence? Can Ivan overcome his past heartaches to make room for Rose?